Is Lorde’s music written incorrectly? Image by Annette Geneva. Creative Commons

Swedish songwriter extraordinaire Max Martin claims that New Zealand mega-star Lorde’s single ‘Green Light’ is an example of “incorrect songwriting”

Having sold over 1.5 million copies of her debut album, Pure Heroine, in the US alone, you would have thought that New Zealand mega-star Lorde knows a thing or two about songwriting. However, even a multi-platinum songwriter can pick up some tips.

This comes after Max Martin, who has written hit records for artist such as Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and NSYNC, claimed that Lorde’s recent single Green Light was “incorrect songwriting.”

Lorde made the confession when talking to the New York Times. Speaking to the publication, Lorde said that she asked Martin’s opinion on Green Light. She explained that Martin “had a very specific opinion, which had to do with the melodic math – shortening a part,” and his advice was that the song is an example of “incorrect songwriting.”

However, there were no hard feelings from Lorde, with the songwriter explaining: “this wasn’t an insult. Just a statement of fact… It’s a strange piece of music.”

Green Light was released on 2 March and is the lead single from Lorde’s upcoming second album, Melodrama. During her interview with the New York Times, Lorde revealed that Melodrama takes the story of a single house party as it’s concept. Melodrama is set to be released on 16 June 2017.